Culebra is on my to-do list this winter. Normally I wouldn't bore you with this or discuss so far out, but obviously this particular trip takes a little advanced planning. Has anyone on the forum contacted Cielo Vista Ranch about a winter date? If so, I would like to join in the planning and hike, if you don't mind. I have plenty of winter experience. If not, I am happy to spearhead the endeavor if we want to do a 14ers.com Culebra winter trip. Please let me know either way -- I am happy to work on this. Thanks!

Neil

PS -- I would also appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience working with Cielo Vista on winter trip planning and logistics.

"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening nightThrowing the bone for the dog I see two passing lightsWell, I wonder where that driver's boundIs there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"-Driving Song

I just wanted to say thank you for posting this because I really want to do Culebra in winter. I'm happy to help in any way that I can.

"Mountains seem to answer an increasing imaginative need in the West. More and more people are discovering a desire for them, and a powerful solace in them. At bottom, mountains, like all wildernesses, challenge our complacent conviction - so easy to lapse into - that the world has been made for humans by humans. Most of us exist for most of the time in worlds which are humanly arranged, themed and controlled. One forgets that there are environments which do not respond to the flick of a switch or the twist of a dial, and which have their own rhythms and orders of existence. Mountains correct this amnesia. By speaking of greater forces than we can possibly invoke, and by confronting us with greater spans of time than we can possibly envisage, mountains refute our excessive trust in the man-made. They pose profound questions about our durability and the importance of our schemes. They induce, I suppose, a modesty in us."― Robert Macfarlane

I'd be up for this. I've been resisting paying to summit a peak, but realized that I'll eventually do it anyways and that I'd rather pay to do it in winter than summer. Much more interesting that way. I'll want to add on Red Mtn too.

• It's by getting away from life that we can see it most clearly... It's by depriving ourselves of the myriad of everyday experiences that we renew our appreciation for them...I've learned from my experiences in the mountains that I love life. — Dave Johnston• Mountains are not climbed merely to reach a geographical location — but as personal and spiritual challenges to the participants. — David Stein • The best climber in the world is the one who’s having the most fun.— Alex Lowe• Why do I climb the mountain? Because I'm in love! — The Captain

geojed wrote:I'd be up for this. I've been resisting paying to summit a peak, but realized that I'll eventually do it anyways and that I'd rather pay to do it in winter than summer. Much more interesting that way. I'll want to add on Red Peak too.

I am interested in this, too. Red is "free" with the the winter fee of $200 if you make their cutoff time.

Thanks for posting. Hope to see you all on a random Saturday in February.

You can touch the void, just don't fall into it.I fly a starship across the universe divide....and when I reach the other side...I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can. Perhaps I may become a Mountain Man again.To me there is only one style of climbing, Alpine Style.

SilverLynx wrote:I just wanted to say thank you for posting this because I really want to do Culebra in winter. I'm happy to help in any way that I can.

You're welcome! I figured I wasn't the only one to be thinking about this already, but you never know. Should be fun!

anna wrote:Culebra is also on my winter wish list and I'd planned on contacting in December to arrange for an early February date, possibly the weekend of Feb 2-3, which would be early enough in the winter to arrange an alternate date should the weather tank.

Anna, sounds like we are at about the same level of planning and consideration. I too wanted a mid-winter date so an alternative could be selected if weather shuts down the first attempt.

geojed wrote:I'd be up for this. I've been resisting paying to summit a peak, but realized that I'll eventually do it anyways and that I'd rather pay to do it in winter than summer. Much more interesting that way. I'll want to add on Red Mtn too.

Yeah, I'm with on the money and interest! Also, I want to add Red. No sense in paying again!

TO EVERYONE, SHOULD WE START DISCUSSING A FEBRUARY 2-3 TRIP TO CULEBRA? Anna, I don't want to hijack your dates if you don't want a group hike, so let me know if you want us to shove off! However, planning, traveling, and hiking with a good crew could be of benefit. I'm excited about this!

"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening nightThrowing the bone for the dog I see two passing lightsWell, I wonder where that driver's boundIs there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"-Driving Song

I Man wrote:Red is "free" with the the winter fee of $200 if you make their cutoff time

Thanks for the info I Man. VERY good to know. So, hike fast is the bottom line!

nkan02 wrote:I want to ski it, so an early-mid March date would be my preference.

I'm not as keen on the skiiing, but you make a great point. Maybe one March ski trip and one February trip. Thoughts?

"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening nightThrowing the bone for the dog I see two passing lightsWell, I wonder where that driver's boundIs there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"-Driving Song

Neil wrote:TO EVERYONE, SHOULD WE START DISCUSSING A FEBRUARY 2-3 TRIP TO CULEBRA? Anna, I don't want to hijack your dates if you don't want a group hike, so let me know if you want us to shove off! However, planning, traveling, and hiking with a good crew could be of benefit. I'm excited about this!

If there is one, there will only be a single opportunity to hike Culebra this winter (unless you fancy alpine bivies in freezing temps - thanks Kiefer and Abe). Last year the ranch set a date, then postponed by 2 weeks due to weather.

That being said, a group hike is the only option. February 2-3 sounds good to me.

The Ranch will clear a path to treeline if I recall. This trip is roughly 18 miles in winter and the cutoffs are a bit tough. With a team of trail breakers though, ti can be done.

You can touch the void, just don't fall into it.I fly a starship across the universe divide....and when I reach the other side...I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can. Perhaps I may become a Mountain Man again.To me there is only one style of climbing, Alpine Style.

I Man -- thanks for the logistical info. Group hike it is. At 18 miles, I'm all for alternating trench ploughers up front. Very cool that the ranch clears the path to treeline. I've been impressed with their willingness to work with hikers.

Anna -- Sounds like a cool way to finish for your friend. And what's this...you don't want to pay $200 and walk 18 miles through deep snow on your birthday?

Anyway, February 2-3 sounds good to me too, although it sounds like the ranch may unilaterally decide on another date. Why don't we get a list going? I'll update it as necessary:

"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening nightThrowing the bone for the dog I see two passing lightsWell, I wonder where that driver's boundIs there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"-Driving Song